Speaking of Dividends

Stellar Year for Payouts

All major U.S. equity indexes had a banner year in 2013. Ditto corporate earnings, cash flow, and of course, dividends, even though some first-quarter 2013 dividends were paid in 2012's fourth quarter, along with a bevy of hefty special payouts, to help investors avoid possible higher taxes owing to the fiscal tug-of-war in Washington.

Despite political and economic hurdles, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rang out 2013 up 26.5%...